Guilt and Grace
Grief, anxiety, love, celebration, pain, and struggles were common stories we heard as week after week our college and career CG would meet and share.
As Leslie and I got to know our group better and listened to their stories more deeply, a common thread emerged. A sense of guilt. I do not believe it has anything to do with the uniqueness of their stage of life; I think it is something we all struggle with.
Our group was made up of good kids. Most, but not all, were raised in church. Many had walked with Christ for years, and some were getting their first introduction. Yet one thing that struck me is how much grace they had for each other, and at the same time so little grace for themselves.
“But there was that one night when <insert struggle here>.”
“I just can’t seem to break the power that <insert sin here> continues to have over me.”
Guilt-ridden is how many came on any Sunday night; unable to forgive themselves for sins of the past (or present). Determined to help them understand their identity in Christ, we started a chapter-by-chapter study through The Grace Awakening by Charles Swindoll.
Week after week we discussed the beauty and depth of grace. Our group never cheapened grace with a get-out-of-jail free card which might encourage reckless living; they were very restrained, offering grace to others, but not seeing that the same grace applied to each of them. They were a new creation in Christ, unworthy of His grace, but willingly holding it as a valuable gift. We never saw in them the danger of standing in judgment over others, but they struggled with being judge and jury over their own actions and decisions. Each of us cries for the mercy of God but also holds the attitude that if God truly knew me, He might not be as full of grace and love. If He knew what a wreck I had made of my life or had seen that secret sin I hope no one will catch me in (you know the one, it’s the one you can’t let go of), then certainly He couldn’t love me so easily.
At times, we tend to take the seat of judgment from God. We see Him as the Holy, loving judge for others, yet when it comes to THAT sin in our lives, we become judge and jury of ourselves, and we find ourselves guilty. We serve a God, who by His mercy, has declared us NOT GUILTY. Not because He is impressed by us or because we deserve it, but because He sees us through His Son with whom He is well pleased.
We cannot fathom the depth of grace God has for His children, the ones who are hidden in the righteousness of His Son. We are not guilty because He declared us not guilty. That is our identity. God is on His throne!
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. Psalms 32:1-2 (ESV)
Written by: Tim Gardner
Tim and Leslie Gardner have been at The Mount for seven years. They have two daughters, 26 and 18 who both attend The Mount. The Gardners have served in children’s ministry, students, as CG leaders, and both are Certified Biblical Counselors.